General Motors (GM) plans to add the jobs to its engineering and development section in Michigan.

The new positions will focus on GM’s next-generation of electric vehicles beyond its current model the Chevrolet Volt, which was first showcased in 2007.

GM claims to have put more than $700 million GM in eight facilities in Michigan to support Volt production and the new roles will further add to this investment.

The Volt, a hybrid like the Toyota Prius, uses a combination of electric and standard petrol engines.

The new roles will be brought in over the next two years and the commitment is according to GM chief executive, Dan Akerson, part of plan to lead on US electric vehicle development.

He said: “The new jobs will build on GM’s strategy to develop, validate and manufacture automotive battery, electric motor and power control technologies in-house as core competencies.

“GM is going to lead the industry in the adoption of various vehicle electrification technologies, whether its electric vehicles with extended-range capability, like the Chevrolet Volt, or the recently introduced eAssist technology that will debut on the 2012 Buick LaCrosse.”

Luke Walsh

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